Jim Baker

Jim Baker has held a number of positions in the US and international trade union movements over the last 40 years. His most recent responsibility was seven years of service as Coordinator of the Council of Global Unions (CGU).

2016 is the 50th anniversary of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. To mark the occasion, Education International has organised anniversary events on 20 September in New York and has produced a pamphlet to accompany those meetings.
The Recommendation covers a wide range of issues including rights and working conditions, qualifications and other professional issues, all of which are based on the meaning and purpose of education. Its principles are intimately linked to the status of teachers as well as ...

There are two major EU-China issues under consideration in 2016. One is whether the EU should grant China Market Economy Status (MES) and the other is the ongoing negotiations on an EU-China Investment Agreement. The two issues are separate, but closely linked. If MES is granted to China, it would have very concrete impact on anti-dumping rules in Europe, which would put up to 3.5 million jobs in Europe at risk. Moreover, it would also be an official sign that ...

Although there have been some reforms and new regulations imposed on financial markets since the crisis of 2008, there are many signs that dangers remain. There is a risk of financial market volatility and a climate of uncertainty. As with the Great Recession produced by the earlier financial crisis, a return of banker irresponsibility would, once again, be paid for by the public.
A bank brought to its knees in the earlier crisis and saved by the public, the Royal Bank ...

Margaret Thatcher was quoted as saying in 1987 that “there is no such thing as society.” That phrase made the political point that people should take care of themselves and their families and not look to government to do it. In other words, in that context, “society” was the same as “government”.
More than a quarter century later, but in a larger and less political context, it might be useful to ask ourselves whether there is, indeed, such a thing as ...

Recent years are a chain of horrors and tragedies. Lebanon and Paris are simply the most recent of serial attacks on human beings, but also on our very humanity. Once again, there are outpourings of grief and sympathy from throughout the world.
But, there are also dangerous reactions. Some seem to think that the only way to “wage war” on terrorists is to copy them. They would combat those who seek to strip the world of liberty and decency by doing ...

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Education International

Education International is the voice of teachers and other education employees across the globe. A global federation of about 400 unions in more than 170 countries and territories, it represents 30 million teachers and other employees in education from early childhood to university.